English-Language Spelling Pattern Generalizations (The Children's Learning Institute of the University of Texas Health Science Center)

Description:

1. Don't make rules/generalizations the emphasis of phonics instruction.
2. Teach only those rules/generalizations with the most utility.
3. Emphasize applying the rules/generalizations rather than verbalizing them. 
4. Teach the rules/generalizations at a point when children can best understand and apply them.
5. Never teach rules as absolutes.